Recently, we published a tutorial titled “How to use Generative Recolor in Adobe Illustrator,” which was so successful that we decided to publish yet another helpful tutorial on colors in Illustrator.
This time we’ll teach you how to recolor artwork from scratch with just a few simple clicks.
Recoloring artwork used to be a tedious task, but with Adobe Illustrator’s advancements, it has become a breeze. This guide will walk you through the process of recoloring your artwork using the latest tools and features available in Illustrator.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this tutorial will provide you with everything you need to know to effectively recolor your artwork.
Let’s jump into it!
A Step-by-step Guide to Recolor Artwork in Adobe Illustrator
Step 1: Access the Recolor Artwork Tool
To start the recoloring process, select your artwork. You can use the shortcut Command + A on a Mac or Control + A on Windows to select everything.
Once selected, look for the Recolor option in the contextual taskbar that looks like a coloring wheel. If you turned off the contextual taskbar, you can find the Recolor options in the properties panel, see below.
Step 2: Exploring Color Libraries
In the recolor dialogue, you’ll find a variety of color libraries. You can experiment with different color schemes.
For instance, if you choose the Color Properties and select Bright, you’ll notice an intense color shift.
If the colors are too vibrant, you can switch to more subdued options like Earth Tones. This flexibility allows you to find the right palette that suits your artwork.
Feel free to explore the other color options.
Step 3: Customizing Your Color Palette
Next, you can customize the number of colors in your palette. Let’s say you want to work with only 3 colors, you can select 3 from the Colors option as shown below.
Additionally, you can adjust the saturation and brightness of these colors randomly by clicking the two icons next to the coloring wheel as shown below.
You can click as many times as you want and Illustrator will recolor the artwork. This feature allows you to play around with different combinations until you find the perfect look.
If you want more control over your brightness and saturation you can use the brightness and saturation slider to make adjustments.
Step 4: Manual Adjustments
If you want more control over your colors, you can click the link icon to unlink the color wheel options. This allows you to adjust each color independently, giving you the freedom to create a unique color scheme that aligns with your vision.
Select each wheel point and move the points around to adjust to your desired color as you see in the screenshot below.
At any time, you can reset the palette to its original state. This ensures you can experiment without losing your starting point.
Step 5: Sourcing Colors from Other Graphics
Another exciting feature is the ability to use a different graphic to generate a color theme.
Follow these steps:
- Import a different graphic into your Illustrator artwork.
- Select your primary graphic.
- Once it is selected click on the Color Theme Picker, and either click on the source graphic or drag around a specific area to create a color theme based on the selected part and Illustrator will update the colors based on your selection.
You can also select multiple images to pick color themes from. This feature is particularly useful for creating cohesive designs that pull from various sources.
See the screenshot below…
Step 6: Advanced Color Mapping
For those looking for more advanced options, you can dive into the Advanced Options section. Here, you can see how colors are being mapped and make more detailed adjustments.
Here you can unlink colors for individual adjustments, allowing you to customize each color’s mapping to your liking.
Spend some time to explore these advanced options for your desired result.
Step 7: Generative Recolor
The latest update to Illustrator includes the Generative Recolor option. This allows you to use AI technology to generate new color schemes based on the prompts you provide.
For example, typing in “recolor artwork with autumn theme” could yield warm orangish results that you can then refine.
After generating, you can remix the colors and adjust them to better fit your artwork. This new feature opens a world of creative possibilities for artists.
Note:
We have a detailed tutorial on using the generative recolor feature in Adobe Illustrator. Please check it out to learn more about how it works.
Once you are happy with the recoloring, simply click away from the dialogue box to apply the changes. There’s no need for extra confirmation, which streamlines your workflow significantly.
Conclusion
Recoloring artwork in Adobe Illustrator has become a simpler and more intuitive process thanks to the various tools and features available. By following these steps, you can easily transform your artwork into vibrant, eye-catching designs. Whether you’re creating for personal projects or professional work, mastering the recolor artwork feature can enhance your creative potential.
